Billy To-morrow's Chums

"Billy To-morrow's Chums" by Sarah Pratt Carr is a tale from the early 1900s that follows Sydney Bremmer, a young boy residing with the compassionate Mrs. Schmitz after facing tough times. The story looks at themes of friendship, differences in social status, and the path to feeling good about oneself, as Sydney deals with jealousy, especially with Max's arrival. The story begins with Sydney doing his chores at the greenhouse, thinking about his life and his worries for his friend Ida Jones, who has trouble fitting in at school. When a surprise visitor breaks into their home, Sydney and Mrs. Schmitz show their courage and kindness, leading them to help the person, which shows what they are like and starts the friendship between Sydney and Max, as they both discover the value of helping others and belonging.